I love the manual as much as anyone, but as Mike said, today's tech simply makes it futile to design a manual for a new application. If it is in an existing one, it's allowed to soldier on but that will only last until the phase-out.

The Viper has a manual, because it never had an auto. Designing an auto for that car would be cost-prohibitive as the Chrysler group would struggle to integrate it into any other platform.

M-B will likely use the 7-speed auto from the C-Class in this car. One only needs to look at Mercedes' track history with manuals vs. automatics to determine why they haven't used many manuals. Even our beloved manuals in the Crossfires aren't true Mercedes units, they're Getrag-sourced.

Porsche made the manual what it is, and they still offer it simply for weight-reduction purposes. The PDK (Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) is far superior and obliterates even the quickest hot-shoe...

Back on topic, I like it. Personally I think the VW Sirocco is the best looking "hatch" on the market today. It simply has all the right lines.